I know this generator is only 26.7 amps @ 120v, but I think it would be perfect for what I want my bus to be able to do. Has anyone had any experience with this generator? It is much lighter than the full size RV generators and much smaller. It will fit perfectly where I want it to go. I am currently only wired for 30amps in my bus and have never had the need for more power. So, I think this would handle what I want power for quite nicely.

Looks good to me. I would guess it would do just fine. However, are you looking at getting it new, or used? I have heard that you can't trust the Onans, like you can some of the others (Kubota's for example).

Well, so far, I like mine. But then again, I have only put about 50 hours on it over 2 years.

BTW, when I started looking, I figured I could get by with 4KW, but I think 3.2KW would be pushing it a bit to run the basement air, even with augmentation by the inverter. I couldn't find a 4KW. I ended up with 7.5Kw and it's just about perfect.

Interesting about getting the smallest possible. We went with a big one (20KW), because we didn't think we would regret the extra power. The diesel consumption chart is a graph. Basically if you pull 20KW, you will burn the most. Anyways, we figured we would burn more, having a bigger engine, even if we were pulling, oh say 60 amps, instead of 180 that we can handle. Turns out, it pretty much burns the same amount both ways, bigger engine less load, smaller engine bigger load.

Onan has by far the best service network, people I know that own them are happy with the service and performance. Fwiw I found the independent generator suppliers units about impossible get service and parts on the road no one stocks their parts

Craig, you are right, 3.2 KW is marginal and I'm confident I could not run both AC compressors at 100 degrees outside. However, it might just handle both compressors at 80 degrees outside. Yes, marginal ... Good points worth contemplating and keeping in mind especially since my inverter is not capable of augmenting the generator. I'm hoping Outback comes out with generator support someday!

Onan, by far, has the most complaints, but they also have the majority of the RV market too. A number of diesel pushers are starting to come with Powertech generators, but like Tom says the service will be harder to come by than for Onan. Cummins has shops all over that also service Onan.

The problem with Onan or Kohler (the second largest genset maker) is that they make their own electronics, and you have to buy it from them. Small independents like Powertech, Wrico International, etc uses universal electronics that are obtainable (many times) through normal parts stores, at a considerable reduction in price. Practically all genset manufacturers use Kubota, Yanmar, Isuzu, etc and large alternator manufacturers like Seimans, etc. But-you have to watch even that since I know that with the Onan Kubota powered 3 cylinder, the middle cylinder is different then the other two once again forcing you to buy expensive Onan parts. Good Luck, TomC

I happen to have a Powertech Ultimate series generator. I'm not entirely sure, but there appears to be at least one circuit board that would have to be ordered from Powertech if it blew.

If it is better or worse than Onan I don't know. Powertech does make a small generator about the same size as the Onan Brian is looking at, but the Powertech costs almost as much as what I paid for my 8KW model back in Fall 2006. Powertech's prices in the past three years are through the roof.

Don't think for one minute you pick up Dick Wright's stuff off the shelf I have had one of his 13k generators before and he uses a special shut down I tried to buy one from Kubota before and finally had to have one shipped from him at 245.00 bucks

Brian,You almost have two threads going here. Will a 3.2 kW do the trick and is an Onan quiet diesel any good. I don't know anything about the diesels, but I do know that 3,000 watts isn't very much. I've got a 7kW genset and most of the time its overkill. But it will run both roof airs when I need it. I've parked next to guys with the Onans and when they have control circuit problems; they don't work AT ALL. Remember the guy in the brand new coach next to me at Rollag two years ago? That was an Onan.

If most of what you're going to do is charge batteries and run some light duty electrical appliances, then I think a little 3.2 kW diesel might be nice. What RPM does it run at? I'm guessing 3600 ? It would be a little screamer.Fred

I have a onan quiet Deisel 10kw and it is big and heavy and I only use 30 amps anyway. I also noticed that my circuit breaker on the panel although rated for 30 amps can only handle about 28 for any length of time before switching off so I am on the same page as you. I could open up an entire bay (good for skiis, surfboards etc)

Remember that circuit breakers are supposed to be loaded to no more than 80% of nominal on a continuous basis. So 30 amps is 24 amps. Continuous load is a steady load for over three hours, and heat is the issue. Breakers are apparently rated at 104 degrees F in free air, and obviously all of mine are in enclosed boxes right beside other heat sources.

Anyway, I have a Yamaha 3000 watt gas generator. the choice was far more economics, size, and noise level than anything else, it runs my one AC unit and charges my batteries and lets me run my block heater when it's cold out. But I have tripped the breaker on it, hence it is de facto too small. But I knew that and accepted the energy management issues when I chose it, so I'm good with that.

I have a question about the big diesel generators. Don't they offer some serious problems with noise and vibration? they must have a fairly decent sized engine running there.

Not sure what you consider "BIG", but I can tell you about the PowerTech line (the only brand I am familiar with). Last time I was at their place, several years ago, the 10 & 12 KW use a 4 cylinder kubota diesel engine. They were using a turbocharged 4 cylinder on the 17 & 20 KW. The smaller 7 & 8 KW use a 3 cylinder kubota. Noise level varies a lot depending on location, baffling, and sound insulation. Vibration can also vary depending on mounting differences. Compared to our old gas Onan 6.5, our PowerTech 9 KW (10KW head on a 3 cylinder Kubota) is quieter but a slight vibration that I feel through the bus floor. Jack

My diesel generator is quite and I use no muffler but like Jack I had some vibration till I removed it from the slideout with air bags and installed jell bags. A slideout will transfer vibration but the way some generators are installed it is a must but I remote mounted all my filters and did away with the slide and I am very happy with the results.

luvrbus, what are "jell bags" and where can I see the specs on them? My 8kw Powertech Kubota transfers vibration through the factory mounts and I'd like to eliminate the vibration if the jell bags are not too thick as I don't have a lot of vertical clearance. Let us know where the specs can be located. Thanks so much.

Gary, I bought mine from West Marine 2 in thick x 3 1/2 in round 2 bolts on the bottom and a stud on the top. They are a little pricey over 200 bucks for 4 my understanding Dick Wright sell the jell bags now.

Not sure what you consider "BIG", but I can tell you about the PowerTech line (the only brand I am familiar with). Last time I was at their place, several years ago, the 10 & 12 KW use a 4 cylinder kubota diesel engine. They were using a turbocharged 4 cylinder on the 17 & 20 KW. The smaller 7 & 8 KW use a 3 cylinder kubota.

Powertech also used the Cat (Perkins) engine too for the smaller 8KW generators at one point. They offered a choice of either when I bought my unit. I would have choosen the Kubota, but they only had a Cat in stock. It appears they no longer offer the Cat engine. This was back in 2006 and at the time I was pushing hard to leave in under 6 weeks so I needed a genny right now. (It turns out I never went anywhere that year due to other issues.)

Powertech makes a really neat 8kw compact generator with built in squirrel cage blower. This is the exact unit that a friend of mine had on his big rig truck with ARI sleeper that had 23,000 hours on it when it was sold. On the engine, he replaced one water pump, and had the alternator end rebuilt once-not bad!. Good Luck, TomC

Brian, I am not telling not to buy a Honda it is your money I do work on those sometimes and parts are very expensive for the EV6010 here are some prices on replacement parts I have bought then you can make up your own mind and they were generators with 1500 or less hours